Converse has faced criticism over a recent advertisement that some viewers said resembled imagery associated with the Ku Klux Klan and the history of racial lynching in the United States.

‍The Ad that’s part of Converse’s global campaign for its Chuck 70 X sneaker, featured K-Pop star Karina of the group Aespa standing beneath a star-shaped spotlight while holding a pair of black high-top Converse sneakers. She wore a long white skirt, while the lighting made her silhouette look to many social media users like a KKK hood, with the dangling sneakers drawing comparisons to a lynching victim.

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The shoes were released globally on August 27th 2026 however, the controversial image was posted to Converse’s social media accounts earlier this month. The backlash intensified after an uncropped image of the advertisement started circulating the internet, which users said made the resemblance to a pointed hood and hanging body more apparent.

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Converse issued a apology to The Independent in a statement:

“We’re sorry. We understand why this image is deeply upsetting and recognise that we got this wrong. We removed it from our channels and are working to remove it everywhere it appeared. This should not have happened and we will do better.”

This still wasn’t enough as the general public and figures alike continued to share their distain for the ad overall one user saying:

No, you’re not crazy. Yes, the Converse ad is racist. Yes, it looks like a Klan outfit. Yes, it looks like a lynching. And no, “it’s just a shoe ad” is not a defense.

Another also expressed:

“Seriously, this Converse campaign is bizarre, way too criminal! The first time I saw the sneaker images in the model's hand, I had this weird feeling that it was a reference to someone hanged. Then more analyses came along and I got terrified of the brand.”

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Founded in Massachusetts in the early 1900s, the popularity of Converse has skyrocketed since its Chuck Taylor sneaker was first introduced to US basketball courts in 1917.

The global brand has been a subsidiary of Nike since 2003.

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